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Wrist Pain
Wrist Pain
Wrist pain can be a debilitating condition that affects your daily activities, whether you’re wringing a towel, opening a door, or typing for extended periods. This section provides an in-depth look into the causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatments available for wrist pain. Our experienced team is here to guide you through the diagnosis and treatment process, ensuring that you receive the most effective care to alleviate your pain and restore function to your wrist.


Symptoms
Wrist pain can vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition.
Pain or Tenderness
Pain that may be sharp or aching, typically worsened by movement or pressure.
Swelling
Swelling around the wrist joint, often indicating an injury or inflammation.
Weakness
Difficulty in gripping objects or reduced strength in the hand.
Stiffness
Limited range of motion in the wrist, making it difficult to bend or extend the wrist.
Numbness or Tingling
If the median nerve is compressed, you may experience numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers (commonly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome).
Causes
Wrist pain is commonly caused by repetitive stress injuries, changes after pregnancy, changes after menopause, and activities related to sports. These repetitive motions can strain the tendons and ligaments, leading to inflammation and pain.
- Repetitive Stress Injuries: Caused by repetitive wrist movements, often related to typing, knitting, or sports.
- Hormonal Changes: Changes due to pregnancy or menopause can affect the tendons and ligaments, leading to pain and discomfort.
- Injuries: Fractures, sprains, or dislocations from falls or trauma can result in wrist pain.
Risk Factors
Certain activities and conditions increase the likelihood of developing wrist pain.
- Repetitive Movements: Activities like typing, carrying heavy objects, or sports involving wrist motion increase the risk of wrist pain.
- Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy and menopause can lead to conditions like De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
- Sports Injuries: Participation in sports that require frequent wrist movements, such as tennis or weightlifting, increases the risk of injury.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing wrist pain typically involves a combination of physical assessments and imaging tests.
- Physical Examination: Checking for swelling, tenderness, and range of motion limitations.
- Nerve Conduction Studies: Used to identify conditions like De Quervain’s tenosynovitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
- X-rays: Used to detect fractures or bone misalignments.
- MRI or Ultrasound: Imaging tests to assess soft tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, for tears or inflammation.
Treatments Provided By Us
Surgical
- Carpal Tunnel Release: Carpal Tunnel Release is a surgical procedure to relieve pressure on the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. This is achieved by cutting the ligament that is pressing on the nerve, which helps alleviate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome such as pain, numbness, and tingling.
- Release of De Quervain’s: This surgical procedure involves releasing the tight sheath around the tendons in the wrist that are causing pain and inflammation in De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. This helps to relieve pressure and restore normal tendon movement.
Release of De Quervain's:
This surgical procedure involves releasing the tight sheath around the tendons in the wrist that are causing pain and inflammation in De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. This helps to relieve pressure and restore normal tendon movement.
Non-Surgical
- Medications: Medications are often the first line of treatment for wrist pain, helping to reduce inflammation and manage pain. These may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other prescribed medications tailored to your specific condition.
- Steroid Injections: Steroid injections are used to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected area. This treatment is particularly effective for conditions like De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, providing relief when oral medications are insufficient.
- Physical Therapy Exercises: Physical therapy exercises are designed to strengthen the wrist muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce the strain on the tendons. These exercises are tailored to your specific condition and are crucial for long-term recovery and pain management.
Treatment 3: Physical Therapy Exercises
Physical therapy exercises are designed to strengthen the wrist muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce the strain on the tendons. These exercises are tailored to your specific condition and are crucial for long-term recovery and pain management.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation following wrist injury or surgery is essential for restoring function and strength.
- Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy: Exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and flexibility.
- Occupational Therapy: Focused on helping patients regain the ability to perform daily tasks, especially if fine motor skills are affected.
- Gradual Return to Activity: Under the guidance of a healthcare provider, patients can slowly return to normal activities once they regain strength and mobility.
Complications
If left untreated, wrist pain can lead to chronic conditions such as tendinopathies like De Quervain’s tenosynovitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions may significantly impact daily activities and require more intensive treatments if not addressed early.
- Chronic Pain: Persistent wrist pain can interfere with daily activities and require long-term treatment.
- Limited Mobility: Untreated conditions may lead to stiffness and loss of range of motion.
- Nerve Damage: In cases like carpal tunnel syndrome, untreated nerve compression can lead to permanent damage and muscle weakness.
- Recurrent Injuries: Without proper treatment and rehabilitation, there is a risk of re-injury, especially in cases involving repetitive stress injuries.
Prevention Methods
To prevent wrist pain:
- Ergonomic Adjustments: Modify workspaces or tools to reduce strain on the wrist.
- Specific Exercises: Perform exercises designed to strengthen the wrist and forearm muscles.
- Minimise Repetitive Stress: Take frequent breaks and use proper technique when performing repetitive activities like typing or sports.
When To See A doctor
If pain persists after 2 weeks, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional. Persistent pain could indicate an underlying issue that requires medical evaluation and treatment.
Doctors In-Charge
Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon
Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon
Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon
Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon